Ideas For Wedding Altar Decorations

Couples should keep the wedding altar top of mind in terms of decorating. After all, it's stage where family and friends witness the marriage being officiated. Location will determine what type of wedding altar decorations can be used.

Church wedding decorations are often restricted in the altar area and prohibited on the actual altar table. It's important to check with the Pastor when planning wedding ceremony decorations. Also, he may be able to provide alternative suggestions within guidelines. The architecture of the church may lend beautiful backgrounds of gold and stained glass. Choose wedding altar decorations that will play off this, rather than clash.

Tulle, a sheer stiffened silk, rayon or nylon is a commonly used decoration for the wedding altar. Decorating with white tulle is most popular for weddings. In fact, wedding veils and some wedding dresses are made of tulle. Its simple elegance compliments both sides of the wedding alter as bows and make lovely pew bows for the wedding aisle decorations. Also consider using swags around nearby columns and the podium as wedding alter decorations that will dress up the microphone for readers participating in the ceremony.

Flowers are a common church decoration. Churches usually have baskets of flowers on tall stands surrounding the wedding alter area during major holidays. If your wedding date coincides with one of those dates you're in luck. Otherwise, it's up to you to flip the bill on the flowers. Consider baskets of flowers containing the same bouquet, as the bridal party is a nice way of tying everything together.

Also, rose petals don't have to stop at the aisle. Spreading them on the wedding altar steps to surround the happy couple is one of the simplest wedding altar ideas. Flower garlands wrapped around buttresses and delicately hung from chairs are other wedding altar ideas. Artificial flowers make hardier garlands; quality silk petals are an equally beautiful display as the real thing; grapevines are also a great wedding accent for the altar.

Candles are another appropriate wedding altar decoration. Churches and other houses of worship typically use candles in their masses, so tall white Eucharistic type candles may adorn the rear of the alter. Decorations wedding couples sometimes decide to incorporate include a unity candle ensemble. A unity candle is one large pillar candle that is lit by two separate tapers during the wedding ceremony. The idea behind the unity candle is that it symbolizes two lives becoming one through marriage. It's not only a beautiful symbol, but also makes a lovely display from the wedding altar.

Candles set a romantic atmosphere. In addition to the unity candle, and among other potential wedding altar ideas involving candles, is to use tealight votives to create an elegant border along the edges of the altar steps.

Outdoor weddings have more freedom then those set in places of worship. Also, the natural scenery creates a pure back drop for the wedding alter. Decorations can include flowers and candles, in addition to tulle. For outside weddings, you may also want to include a balloon arch or clusters of balloons on either side of the raised platform. Colorful banners on the wedding alter make for a nice photo opportunity. An arbor full of greenery and/or thorny branches makes attractive wedding altar centerpieces.

A fresh approach to wedding altar ideas includes some couples enlarging photos from their childhood and putting them up on an easel for all to see during the wedding ceremony. Some churches will make allowances for this, but be sure to check beforehand, if the ceremony is in a place of worship.

Remember, the wedding altar is the framework for many photos. Make sure all eyes are on you during the wedding ceremony — make your wedding altar decorations stand out.